Close to 600 builders, developers, sales and marketing professionals united recently to help the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) raise more than $36,000 for Habitat for Humanity Toronto. BILD members have raised more than $570,000 for the charity since 2003.

The funds were collected as part of the association’s annual Race for Humanity, an award-winning scavenger hunt challenge for industry professionals, and charity BBQ, on July 18.

The combined events celebrate BILD’s decade-long partnership with Habitat for Humanity Toronto, which saw the association support the construction of ten homes for ten families.

“This wonderful partnership is just one example of the industry’s commitment to making the GTA a better place to live through volunteerism, philanthropy and sponsorship,” said BILD president and CEO Bryan Tuckey. “I’m excited to be a part of this celebration today, and I feel privileged to work in an industry that gives so much to the communities that we all live in.”

Sunita Sanichar, who received the keys to her BILD-sponsored Habitat home in 2012, addressed the group in the company of her two children. She thanked the association’s members for their generosity, referencing the positive effect homeownership had on the lives of her children, one of whom has autism.

“We’re so proud of our long-standing partnership with BILD,” says Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Toronto. “Over the past 10 years, BILD and its members have sponsored the construction of 10 affordable homes for low-income families through the annual BBQ and BILD’s other successful fundraising events. BILD members are great contributors of donated home renovation products to our ReStores and, BILD is a strong advocate for promoting affordable home ownership for all families in the Toronto region. They are a great ally and a great partner.”

BILD, formed through the merger of the Greater Toronto Home Builders’ Association and Urban Development Institute/Ontario, is the voice of the land development, home building and professional renovation industry in the Greater Toronto Area. The association has more than 1,400 members.